Speak Out

What gets on my nerves are spoilers. Not everyone can watch a television show when it first airs. Many of us record shows on our DVRs to watch later or catch up via an on-demand or streaming service. I’m smart enough not to read articles about the episode or show I haven’t watched yet but why do cable providers tend to include spoilers in the descriptions of TV episodes? I get that the powers that be want to entice you to watch a show but don’t push that at the expense of revealing what happens in story line. I’ve been burned too much by reading the on-screen description of a program that I’ve stopped reading these descriptions beforehand.

Many youngsters are glued to their cell phones and iPads or tablets. I’ll bet they don’t even realize how much time they lose playing apps or constantly texting with people. Sure, some of it can be a break from the everyday grind but it shouldn’t replace having real experiences and real conversations with real people. I think something is lost when so much of people’s lives are spent plugged in. Kids are growing up and not learning how to really talk with people so they end up retreating into their virtual worlds instead of making true connections with other people. Given that there doesn’t seem to be an end to this in sight anytime soon, I fear for the future.

I just paid my second part of my real estate taxes and realized that from the total net 2016 taxes to 2017 taxes there was a 14 percent increase, while inflation is running at about 2.5 percent. It’s difficult to tread water when the tax bill is about six times the inflation rate and wages are tied to inflation.

Oak Lawn

We've heard these kinds of stories too often. A lighter or matches found by a child burns down an entire housing complex. A child shoots a sibling in their home. They're called accidents. But they're not accidents. These tragedies are the result of carelessness and irresponsible parenting. Parents are human. But some things leave no room for error.

Tinley Park

What’s Speak Out?

Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.